We had our home inspection last week and I'm glad its done. While it wasn't nerve racking, it was surprising in other instances. I had to lock up my cascade, surprising. I did not have to lock up the kitchen knives but place them up high, surprising. We were asked to lock up his many pocket knives, surprising.

My DH commented to the SW, "If I were a criminal, I would look for a fos to adopt household to rob because I know they have all their lethal weapons locked up." She said well you can get a bat and he told her you can't bring a bat to a gun fight.

So, she is typing up our homestudy and she said we can start looking at child availables during the first week of May. Its still not quite real but we got to look at some child availables to get clarification of some info the SW was telling us. We are going to try to not get wrapped up in the cuteness factor but these twin boys and their little sister were absolutely adorable! We wanted a sibling group of two no gender preference but races of African American, Causcasian, and Hispanic. These kids were caucasian. They would be great but we don't have a vehicle big enough for all of us including our DD. However, I know whatever God wants for us, He will make a way.

It's interesting to me the differences between agency requirements too! In NY, we were required to lock up any household chemicals and cleaners, not limited to just bleach, but hairspray, because it could become a weapon. In MD, they don't care at all, as long as we are taking reasonable precautions, meaning the bleach isn't in the fridge.

_________________Holly (35)Waiting to adopt #4 (& maybe #5!)

Proud mom to:Brandon (24), adopted at age 12Jessica (23), adopted at age 10Carolina (16), adopted at age 11

I'm in Colorado, and dh and I were concerned at first before our homestudy because we are firearms instructors and gun lovers, so we have several guns. When we asked our caseworker about them, she said that it's rare for her to go into a house that DOESN'T have guns! We just had to have our guns and ammo in separate safes. As for the cleaners, that has been more difficult than the guns! I'd go to grab the 409 to clean my kitchen counters, and I'd forget that I had to have them in my laundry room on a high shelf instead of right under my sink. Oh well, I've gotten used to it by now!

Some of the rules do not make sense. In TX all drugs had to be doubled locked, but guns and ammo single locked just in different places! All chemicals had to be out of reach for children but no restrictions on knives.

My favorite is that we now have 4 smoke detectors all within 5 feet of each other. (our hallway ends with 3 bedrooms and a bath) so each bedroom just inside the door plus the hallway all have one. And we were infant adoption so I really appreciated having the cabinet locks and outlet plugs in place for a 3 day old. (Thankfully our SW was realistic. She said have it in place when I am here, do whatever you like so long as it is safe when I'm not.)

_________________June 2006- Started adoption processApril 2007- DS was born- Never knew so much love! December 2007- DS adoption finalized

Two failed placements and a lot of ups and downs in our second adoption journey. January 2012- DS was born- A completely wonderful surprise!July- DS adoption finalized

Always remember there is nothing worth sharing like the love that let us share our name...

Today I moved a bottle of hair mousse in the medicine cabinet. Lo and behold I had a bottle of prescription allergy nasal spray behind it. Whoops. I only use it during allergy season so I haven't seen it in a year.

Yeah, let's just say my cleaning supplies have wandered back to their place under the (unlocked) kitchen sink... But you know that when the caseworker needs to stop by, they will find their place back up out of reach!